The Informed Spectator
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Handlers who come to the Kingston sheep dog trials always marvel at how knowledgeable our spectators have come to be. Most trial spectators are bewildered, if mystified by sheep dog running. You are the unique onlookers who can enjoy the refinements of the perfect shed or the sharp drive. We are proud of you as a result. Here a few reminders of perfection and what constitutes less than perfect.
THE OUTRUN
The handler sends his dog from the post to his left or right-handler's choice. The dog must cast out in a deep pear shaped arc, that takes the dog to twelve o'clock, behind the sheep. Any extra commands, too tight, overshooting (going past twelve o'clock) and too wide shave points of the outrun. One of the worst crimes a trial dog can commit, is "cross over," meaning to cross between the handler and the sheep, before it gets behind them. Of the 20 points available for the outrun, 19 could be lost for a crossover.
20 points available
THE LIFT
The lift is the short spell where the dog and sheep reconnoiter at the top of the field. The sheep should start down the field in a straight, orderly fashion. It is here that the sheep and dog begin a relationship that they will maintain throughout the remainder of the run. So if the dog has been overbearing, it might irritate the sheep and we will see irritable sheep for the remainder of the course. If the dog has been kind but authoritative, the sheep will be respectful and orderly. Points come off for heavy handedness from the dog, off line, left or right and many points come off if the sheep go backwards.
10 points available
THE FETCH
The fetch begins immediately after the lift. It should be absolutely straight and like all phases of work in the trial, be efficient and workmanlike. Border Collies are doing a job performance test at a trial and they should neither dawdle nor race the livestock on the course. The sheep should come right through the center of the fetch gates in the middle of the field and pass behind the handler at the post. A dog ringing his sheep (running all the way around them during the fetch), sheep off line, missing the fetch gates and going around the wrong way at the post, all add up to points off.
20 points available
THE DRIVE
The drive begins at the back of the Handler's post. The sheep must go in a straight line to the first drive gates, and make a sharp turn towards the second drive gates and come back to the pen. Straight line and tight turns-that is what makes hot drives. Precision. The workmanlike pace is once again important. Slack lines, missed panels, ringing sheep-the judge will be slashing points off with glee.
30 points available
THE PEN
The sheep need to go straight into the pen for a full ten. Hesitation at the pen mouth, circling the pen, touching the sheep (neither handler nor dog can touch the sheep), all compromise the pen points.
10 points available
THE SHED
The job at the shed is to line up the three sheep in a row and call your dog through to turn on the last single. This is tricky. The last single is always taken on the head and turned to the satisfaction of the judge. Too much done by the handler and not enough by the dog, failed attempts, sheep in and out of the ring, general commotion, all shave points off.
10 points available
Total: 100 points available
Gratuitous "Grips" or biting from the dog is unacceptable and is grounds for disqualification as it is not part of the job that the dog is expected to do.
Ask questions at the handler's tent. The questions will be answered. Thank you for being a part of our erudite crowd.
